Joined Up Writers is a research experiment to see how a novel can be made by people who come together in their community to share ideas for a story before going on to write their novel in full. The result is Trevow, a novel set in contemporary Cornwall, created by people who had not written a novel before. Many of them did not think of themselves as writers.
Trevow was created between autumn 2018 and spring 2021. The Joined Up Writers met weekly, in person or online. They got together in village halls, pubs, cafes, a local sailing club, a community garden, people’s own kitchens and gardens, and an orchard. During the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 they quickly learned how to Zoom.
The process was facilitated by Jane Moss, a writer who runs community writing groups in Cornwall. Jane is grateful to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for funding her research into the viability of a community novel, hosted by the 3D3 programme at Falmouth University. You can see her talking about the project here.
Jane is devising a toolkit and training course which will help others make their own community novels. This will be available in 2024. Contact her for information.
Find out more about how Trevow was created here and read Trevow here.
joined up writers 
Thanks Jane, really enjoying your blog!
Nichola
Thanks Nichola – It’s mutual!
Thank you for sharing and writing and for reaching out. I asked you a question a while back about what form to write in- and you agreed I was doing some kind of mindful writing. Your words helped me to just go with it..It has been really good for me and others have responded. I found I am connecting with my heart -and in turn others- some that are suffering like I was. Not everyone gets it, but it is true to my heart and helping me to continue to heal.
Thank you –
Laurie
Laurie, I may have said this before, but I believe we write with our hearts and edit with our heads. Both are part of the writing process and whatever works best for you is the right way to do it. I’m glad this blog is giving you some inspiration.
Oh ya, you did say that. I remember. I’m learning.
Thanks.
Oh ya, you did say that. I remember. I’m learning.
Thanks.
Hi Jane, thanks for doing the poem, it’s really beautiful and I wouldn’t change a thing. Good luck for moving to Cornwall and happy writing.
love,
Ghazal